the way to detect who is a bigger man than his weight suggests

That's true, I remember when Golota and Ruiz fought, Golota looked so much bigger, he was 2 inches taller, and his legs were much bigger than Ruiz's. And yet Ruiz was a pound heavier at 239, compared to Golota's 238. Golota got screwed in that fight btw.

 

So essentially, your 'way to detect'... it's an eye test, right? I'm not trying to be rude. I actually completely agree with you. I've always thought just the same way. But it's not a very scientific form of detection. I suppose one way to add evidence is if these guys were completely crap at swimming. Big/dense boned individuals fair less well in that sport, I've heard (again, I have no evidence). But I can imagine Dempsey, Marciano and Foreman being pretty crap at swimming, doing their breaststroke down the local pool! Haha
Again, not making light.
A more knowledgeable man than me will hopefully make a more insightful observation, maybe based on body shape or something.
But according to the eye test, yes, I agree with you. When my father was my age he was 45lb heavier than I, and he's a good three inches shorter. He wasn't carrying an ounce of fat either. I don't know if that's all bones, but certainly body shape.

 

Tale of the tape which indicates all of the fighters dimensions. For example prime Julio Cesar Chavez and prime Roberto Duran had practically identical physical height, reach, weight, biceps etc. However Duran was more undiciplined and got fat after 147. For the life of me I cannot understand how anyone can say Duran was suited for 154 and above when he had no muscle whatsoever at those weights despite being ripped at 135 and 147. Unbelievable.

 

Ecto, endo, and meso

 

Lot of examples at Lightheavy....Victor "The Animal" Galindez vs, say, Irish Mike Quarry.

There is a reason why Galindez was called "The Animal".

 

Good post Clinton...an original observation IMO and I agree with it!

 

I'm thankful that match was never made. Thankful for Mike Q's sake.

 

The big and heavy bones theory is basically false. You can have a big frame or a small one. You can have a lot of muscle or less. The bones of a guy with a certain height, wingspan, and waist are pretty much gonna be same as another guy with those measurements.

 

Just for everyone's information, this thread was originally made in response to a comment I made in the Dempsey Ibeabuchi thread positing that a 70s era Ike wouldn't be able to boil down to anything more than about 217, since he was of a similar build to Foreman.

I agree with the general premise though, if not with every example mentioned.

 

Ray Arcel said Duran had no need to go up from lightweight to welter,it was just his lack of discipline regarding eating.